THE fate of a crumbling house containing rare artistic murals will move a step closer to being decided today.

THE fate of a crumbling house containing rare artistic murals will move a step closer to being decided today (Wednesday).

And the future looks bleak for grade two listed Elwy Bank on St Asaph's High Street which has sparked heated debate over whether it should be demolished.

Townsfolk are keen steps are taken to either pull down or revamp the building, as a petition of 1,200 signatures shows.

But despite its advanced state of delapidation, Elwy Bank is home to portraits considered by experts to be of national importance.

Believed to have been painted in the 1820s by itinerant artist Hugh Hughes, the murals depict historical figures, such as Queen Victoria's parents, cleric Reginald Heber and a full-length portrayal of Lord Nelson.

Now Denbighshire Council's planning committee will discuss the fate of the building at a meeting in Ruthin Town Hall this morning.

Although historic monuments society CADW will have the final say, councillors are advised to support demolition on condition the murals are preserved.

A council report explained how the artworks may be saved.

It is likely to involve removal of part of the fabric of the building so the murals and the materials on which they have been painted may be treated under laboratory conditions, it stated, adding once professionally treated, the pictures could be put on view at Bodelwyddan Castle's portrait gallery or incorporated in the site's redevelopment.

But it warned urgent action must be taken to preserve these artifacts and they should be removed as soon as possible.

"If they are not removed soon, they may be lost forever," it stated.

However, it appears there is little hope to save the building itself, which passed into the hands of trustees after owner William Williams died over a decade ago.

Estimations predict anyone buying the property to renovate and sell will lose around #200,000.